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Allergy Basics
, Gadgets and Tools Against Allergies
, Latex/Rubber Allergies
by ruth on January 25, 2007
Although I've posted on latex allergies before, my knowledge of this type of allergy is minimal, having no personal experience with it. So when I read this article from ProcessingTalk, I learned quite a few things.
Apparently, sometimes people who think they have allergies to gloves, are actually allergic to substances they've been into contact with before wearing gloves. Wearing gloves, or occlusion of the hands, just exacerbates the problem because the irritants are trapped and thus resulting to prolonged contact.
Of course there are those who are truly allergic to latex and rubber gloves, and this poses a big risk particularly to healthcare professionals who have high exposure to natural rubber latex materials. Aside from the rubber proteins, allergic reactions may also be triggered by other components such as the glove powder and rubber accelerators.
In powdered gloves, the rubber proteins which migrate to the surface of the glove material during Curing and become adhered to the glove powder. The glove powder, normally cornstarch, with the Latex proteins attached, can easily become airborne and may then be inhaled, thus worsening the allergic reaction.
Now rubber accelerators are new to me.
If you truly have latex allergies, the only solution is therefore to avoid exposure, and use powder-free and accelerator-free nitrile gloves instead of natural rubber gloves. For gardening purposes, there are cute Nitrile Garden and Work Gloves at Amazon, available in fun colors!
Apparently, sometimes people who think they have allergies to gloves, are actually allergic to substances they've been into contact with before wearing gloves. Wearing gloves, or occlusion of the hands, just exacerbates the problem because the irritants are trapped and thus resulting to prolonged contact.
Of course there are those who are truly allergic to latex and rubber gloves, and this poses a big risk particularly to healthcare professionals who have high exposure to natural rubber latex materials. Aside from the rubber proteins, allergic reactions may also be triggered by other components such as the glove powder and rubber accelerators.
In powdered gloves, the rubber proteins which migrate to the surface of the glove material during Curing and become adhered to the glove powder. The glove powder, normally cornstarch, with the Latex proteins attached, can easily become airborne and may then be inhaled, thus worsening the allergic reaction.
Now rubber accelerators are new to me.
Rubber accelerators are chemicals used to speed up the manufacturing process of rubber. These chemical ingredients are present in almost every elastomeric or unsupported glove made. In particular, the accelerators thiurams, carbamates and benzothiazoles can cause allergic contact dermatitis (Type IV allergic reaction - delayed hypersensitivity).
This type of dermatitis is an itchy skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to a material - for example, natural rubber and nitrile gloves - after chronic skin exposure. This allergic reaction arises a few hours after exposure and only affects the area the glove material touched.
If you truly have latex allergies, the only solution is therefore to avoid exposure, and use powder-free and accelerator-free nitrile gloves instead of natural rubber gloves. For gardening purposes, there are cute Nitrile Garden and Work Gloves at Amazon, available in fun colors!
Permalink: Understanding Latex Allergies
Tags:
latex+allergy
rubber+allergy
latex
gloves
nitrile
allergies
latex+allergies
understanding+latex
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/50676
Mr Wong
Vote for Understanding Latex Allergies:
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Rating: 10.00 out of 1 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Patty
(01/28/07 3:49pm)
Response from:
ruth
(01/29/07 9:10am)
Hi Patty. Thanks for leaving a note. What gossip are you referring to? Is there anything on my post that's factually incorrect?
Response from:
Ree
(02/10/07 4:51am)
Sigh, I was hopeing to find information on Nitrile allergies. There are those of us out there who can't wear the Nitrile gloves. I am not allergic to latex, but I am definatley allergic to Nitrile gloves. And the move to push the medical field to nitrile gloves is making me very leary of even visiting doctors anymore for routine checkups.
I think I have my problem narrowed down. But I am not sure because there is so little information available. And no one seems to want to concider that people can be allergic to nitrile gloves too.
I think I have my problem narrowed down. But I am not sure because there is so little information available. And no one seems to want to concider that people can be allergic to nitrile gloves too.
Response from:
tina
(11/03/09 10:55am)
Hello, Ree
I am allergic to the nitrile gloves , but not allergic to latex gloves. The same accelerators are used in making both latex , and nitrile so I know i am not allergic to the accelerants in the gloves. I have a couple of websites that may help you to find the answers you seek . Two of the chemicals used in makling the nitrile gloves are acrylnitrile(nitrile) , and butadiene. Acrylnitrile was once used in pesticides , and butadiene is a petroleum derivitive. you will find more info on these chemicals at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts , this is the agency for toxic substances and disease website. If you would like look up black rubber mixes , you will see that nitrile butadiene is listed as a black rubber mix , even though the companies that maufacture and distribute these gloves say that nitrile gloves are not made from a black rubber mix .I know what you are going through to find medical care , i am going through the same thing, and i might have to go out of state for a needed surgery because the nitrile gloves are used in most of the clinics , adn all the local hospitals where i live now .
I am allergic to the nitrile gloves , but not allergic to latex gloves. The same accelerators are used in making both latex , and nitrile so I know i am not allergic to the accelerants in the gloves. I have a couple of websites that may help you to find the answers you seek . Two of the chemicals used in makling the nitrile gloves are acrylnitrile(nitrile) , and butadiene. Acrylnitrile was once used in pesticides , and butadiene is a petroleum derivitive. you will find more info on these chemicals at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts , this is the agency for toxic substances and disease website. If you would like look up black rubber mixes , you will see that nitrile butadiene is listed as a black rubber mix , even though the companies that maufacture and distribute these gloves say that nitrile gloves are not made from a black rubber mix .I know what you are going through to find medical care , i am going through the same thing, and i might have to go out of state for a needed surgery because the nitrile gloves are used in most of the clinics , adn all the local hospitals where i live now .
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Not all latex proteins can be identified there are 205 currently only 11 are identified. People are aggergic to the gloves and the power in the gloves. After your first real reaction there is no getting "better".
You only develop MORE allergies. If you have more questions send them to me Dragonnurse1@yahoo.com. My first reaction was 3/12/2003 about 9:15AM during recert. for CPR See I worked in the ER for 10 years.